You've Finally Got it, Now Don't Forget to Review it!
I had recently decided to focus my litigation practice on estate matters, and was fortunate enough to join Hull & Hull LLP, an estate litigation boutique.
While I expected to be engrossed full time in handling the estate battles of our clients, what I didn’t anticipate was the almost immediate interest I would develop in the estate plans of those near and dear to me. I have caught myself on several occasions querying family and friends about this issue, keenly interested to determine just how many people are planning ahead.
I was relieved to discover that most of those I questioned who are spouses and/or parents have a Will in place. Of some concern, however, is that several of these individuals admitted to not having reviewed their Will since they signed it. So I thought it might be helpful to send out this reminder of at least ten occasions when you ought to do so, also referenced in Barry Fish and Les Kotzer’s book, The Family Fight – Planning to avoid it:
1. Marriage or re-marriage
2. Divorce
3. Separation
4. Birth of children
5. Birth of grandchildren
6. Incapacity or death of a beneficiary named in your Will
7. Incapacity, frailty or death of your executor
8. Loss of trust or confidence in your executor
9. Sale, loss of, or damage to an item gifted in your Will
10. Move to a new Province
Until tomorrow,
Natalia Angelini
